Overview
The University's Pitt Email (Outlook) service automatically blocks email messages with certain types of attachments that may contain computer viruses, worms, or other potentially harmful software code.
Detail
Restricted File Extensions
Email messages that originate within or outside of the University's Pitt Email (Outlook) system will be automatically blocked if they contain an executable attachment. The sender will receive an email notification explaining that the message has not been delivered to the intended recipient. Common types of executable attachments are listed in the table below.
| Extension |
Description
|
|
.asp
|
Active Server Pages
|
|
.bas
|
BASIC Source Code
|
|
.bat
|
Batch File
|
|
.chm
|
Ares Font Chameleon Source Font
|
|
.class
|
Java Class File
|
|
.cmd
|
Command File
|
|
.com
|
DOS/Windows Executable File
|
|
.cpl
|
Windows Control Panel
|
|
.crt
|
Certificate File
|
|
.exe
|
Executable
|
|
.fon
|
Generic Font File
|
|
.hlp
|
Windows Help File
|
|
.hta
|
Herma Thumbnail Archive
|
|
.inf
|
Installation Script
|
|
.ini
|
Windows Initialization File
|
|
.ins
|
Installation Script
|
|
.isp
|
IIS Service Provider Settings
|
|
.iw
|
IBM Updater File
|
|
.js
|
JavaScript File
|
|
.jse
|
Encoded JavaScript File
|
|
.msc
|
Microsoft Management Console Snap-in
|
|
.msi
|
Microsoft Installer
|
|
.msp
|
MS Paint Bitmap
|
|
.mst
|
ChemFinder Chemical Structure Index
|
|
.pif
|
Program Information File
|
|
.pcd
|
Photo-CD Image
|
|
.reg
|
Registry
|
|
.scr
|
Screen Saver
|
|
.sct
|
FoxPro Screen
|
|
.shb
|
Corel Background File
|
|
.shs
|
Shell Scrap Object
|
|
.vb
|
Visual Basic Source File
|
|
.vbe
|
Encoded Visual Basic Script
|
|
.vbs
|
Visual Basic Script File
|
|
.ws
|
1-2-3 Word Search Maker
|
|
.wsc
|
Windows Scripting Host
|
|
.wsf
|
Windows Scripting Host
|
|
.wsh
|
Windows Scripting Host
|
Attachments Containing Archive Files
If an attached archive file contains executable content, the email message will not be delivered to your Inbox. It will be automatically blocked, and the sender will receive an email notification explaining that the message has not been delivered to the intended recipient. The table above contains a list of common types of executable attachments.
Keep in mind that the most common file types (like Word documents and PDF files) will not be blocked if they are attached in an archive file.